“All that glitters is not gold”. Russian Superleague is perceived as the best volleyball league in the world as far as the sport level, but also due to financial criteria. However, the local reality is not so colorful as it might seem. Take a look an exclusive interview with Bartosz Kurek.
Your stay in Russia was …?
Bartosz Kurek: It was very interesting experience. I got to know a new culture, new volleyball, and other people. I saw plenty of curious things.
What the very Russia about?
Bartosz Kurek: Russia is not rather a super-optimistic nation.
But the Poles also like complain, don’t they?
Bartosz Kurek: No, we (Poles) are positive and optimistic! There is no comparison at all. Russia is a pessimistic, gray country. Obviously, you may find some marvelous places there, for instance the Red Square, where you can forget about the reality smelling communism.
Why do you like the Square so much?
Bartosz Kurek: The Red Square is really impressive and in my opinion, every tourist should visit that place of necessity. For sure, the extremely expensive and luxurious shops influence your imagination and make that place more mysterious. You should know that Only a part of Moscow is Euro-developed, the remaining rest is far from that which exists even in Poland.
So why did you leave the Red Square?
Bartosz Kurek: It was a common decision of me and Dinamo. We canceled the contract by mutual consent. I will just give you one reason despite I have much more personal thoughts, but I don’t want to show them. Next year, Poland will host the FIVB World Championships and staying in Russia I would take a risk that the consecutive season will be similar towards the last one. I move to Macerata, where the threat will not be so dangerous due to better health care. That’s enough. I did it for myself to be the best prepared for the Polish World Championships.
You probably did not imagine such an end before the flight to the capital of Russia?
Bartosz Kurek: It is not important what I had imagined. Everyone can think what he or she wants. Perhaps I simply was not matching.
I wonder if Dinamo was professional enough?
Bartosz Kurek: It is hard question because you have to take into account that PlusLiga, at least both the teams I had played ZAKSA Kedzierzyn-Kozle and PGE Skra Belchatow, are organized and administered in the best way. I am not surprised some teams turn away from participation in European Cups because all CEV supervisors come to e.g. Poland and pick on organizers, search every centimeter of the sport hall while everything works perfect. We should stop to compare Poland and Russia. In the comparison to the world level, there always will be worse in Russia.
If so you are not going to play in Superleague ever?
Bartosz Kurek: I do not rule out any possibility. For sure, I would impose different conditions, not only financial. Now, I simply know what I have to refuse and what I need. If I went back to Russia, I would have chosen a club coached by a foreigner or Vladimir Alekno.
Yuri Cherednik disappointed you?
Bartosz Kurek: Obviously, my statement does not mean that all Russian coaches are poor. I just was not able to reach an agreement with mine. Cherednik led Dinamo to the CEV Cup triumph and achieved some successes, however he was not suitable. I simply would worry to take the risk again. I prefer to have a dependable and tested caching and medical staff.
Did not your acclimatization was interrupted by a language barrier?
Bartosz Kurek: The language barrier disappeared after about one month. As far as volleyball I communicated without any problems because Polish and Russian is quite similar.
Is Superlague a workplace for old and experienced players?
Bartosz Kurek: Rather not. Superleague is very specific like the whole Russia. When you came there, you can be astonished, nevertheless, I recommend such a experience to anyone. If only a player get an offer from Russia, he or she should think it out.
What did you learn in the Champions league?
Bartosz Kurek: For a half of the season, I have been more accountable for receiving than attacking and it has been the first time in my career! All roles was divided in such a way that I had to hold reception. It was a sort of mountain which I had to overcome. I think I learnt a lot at least in reception.
At the beginning of the season you were injured, it seemed not seriously, but you have paused for several weeks and finally were healing in Poland on your own…?
Bartosz Kurek: To clarify: I do not regret to Dinamo. The club did not leave me alone with this problem, they wanted to help. However, I proposed to go Poland to be treated and Dinamo agreed, so I could not have expected my ex team to finance this travel. It was my own request.
Did you have any doubt moments?
Bartosz Kurek: There was no breakdown. Even if the country is sad, everything around is grey, I came there to do my work, to play volleyball and nothing could stop me to carry out my task.
Superlegue is the best league in the world?
Bartosz Kurek: The potential of the Russian teams is incredible. However, they sometimes play below their level because of long distances to overcome between different cities. For example, we creased Belogorie Belgorod out in the main round but they had spent 3 weeks in plane flying from place to place and could not prepare for the game with us. Therefore, fans should look at Superlague in a specific way. Nevertheless, the potential of these teams is simply not unthinkable!
Russian coaches are said to be the most demanding. Apparently, players have to work their buns off in Russia like nowhere else. Is it true?
Bartosz Kurek: Not in Dinamo cause training sessions were not more intensive then in Poland. Even less lightest. Lukasz Zygadlo told me that he works very hard.
Champions League helps Dinamo to rescue the season?
Bartosz Kurek: I wouldn’t be over the top. Trentino could expect a tight competition in Moscow but they actually give us a chance to win the golden set. In the club of Moscow, no one mind the win.
Club management did not care about yours results?
Bartosz Kurek: Dinamo is not administered by any volleyball hothead. In Belchatow, I met Konrad Piechocki, who lived with the team, loved volleyball. While in Moscow, there is a ‘hired’ person to control all, hence there was not any pressure from management’s side.
What about marketing, adverts, and sponsors relations?
Bartosz Kurek: It does not exist in Russia. Volleyball is not very popular except Kemerovo and Novosibirsk. Players’ recognition is at Zero, maybe the situation was changed after Olympics, but only slightly.
I gather you are not sad after leaving Russia. Why?
Bartosz Kurek: Because the offer from Italy (Lube Banca Macerata) was rewarding and I admit I would willingly accept it after five minutes thinking, but obviously I called Lukasz Zygadlo for an advice and then Andrea Anastasi. He congratulated me the decision.
What can we congratulate?
Bartosz Kurek: I got a great chance from Macerata. There came after a change in the composition and my agent could find a hole for me. As far as money, it was very good offer.
Italy is in the financial crisis. Do you like it?
Bartosz Kurek: When I was growing up, Serie A was a kind of volleyball promised land and my dream. Now, I have a chance to play there. But they still claim the best school of volleyball, the most professional school. I need that before the World Champs 2014.
Did you gain other offers?
Bartosz Kurek: I had a choice cause I gained well-paid offer from Turkey, but this step did not come into play. There was also a proposition from one Russian team, however, not to accept. Skra Belchatow? I had some offers but not as concrete as the first three.
Source: Przegląd Sportowy
